Uncle from a poor family

Chapter 643 New Year’s Eve

That night.

It is New Year's Eve when the whole family gathers together.

Zhu Youtang was in high spirits. After nightfall, he followed Zhang Yu out of the Qianqing Palace and went to the empty dam in front to watch the young palace maids set off fireworks.

In the past, fireworks and firecrackers were strictly prohibited from being brought into the palace.

After all, palaces these days are built with wood, and it would be terrible if a fire broke out.

But perhaps Zhu Youtang wanted to make up for and enjoy the happy times he never experienced in his childhood. Now that he had a young wife and the best playmate around him, he insisted on taking his wife to set off fireworks together.

However, he would not do it himself, but let several young palace maids who served Zhang Yu do it. The fireworks would be set off in a square far away from the buildings, and he would take Zhang Yu and Qin Ji to watch the fun.

"It's so beautiful!"

Zhang Yu raised her head and looked towards the sky. Her pretty face was reflected by the colorful fireworks in the sky, shining brightly. When the fireworks faded and it became dark all around, she turned her head regretfully and saw her husband staring at her. She reached out and pushed him away.

"Yu'er, what are you doing?"

Zhu Youtang seemed slightly displeased.

Zhang Yu said angrily, "We agreed to watch the fireworks together, why are you staring at me? Old partner Qin, do you still have this kind of big fireworks that bloom in the sky like a red peony?"

"We only prepared four of these fireworks, and now they have all been set off."

Qin Ji smiled and shook his head. "This type of fireworks is too powerful. If they were to explode together, the consequences would be unimaginable... The guards won't allow too many to be brought into the palace to avoid any problems."

"It doesn't matter!"

Zhu Youtang ordered, "The Queen likes to watch it. Bring more to the palace next time and store them separately. By the way, Yu'er, is this different from the fireworks you set off before?"

Zhang Yu said, "It's definitely different. My family was poor before, so we basically just lit firecrackers for fun. Even if we had fireworks occasionally, where could we find such colorful ones that filled up half the sky after exploding? Hey, look, this kind of starry sky fireworks is also pretty nice..."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Youtang immediately moved his gaze in the direction Zhang Yu pointed.

I saw continuous fireworks shooting straight up into the sky, and then bursting in the sky with a "bang". The splashing fireworks fell down in stars, but the colors were not as bright and gorgeous as the peony fireworks that were set off before.

Zhu Youtang pursed his lips, and when he lowered his head, he saw Zhang Yu yawning, his bright eyes were full of tears, and he quickly said with concern:

"Yu'er, how about we watch it tomorrow night? Prepare more peony-shaped fireworks, and let's go to bed early tonight. Tomorrow morning you have to go to the various palaces to wish a happy new year, and I have to go to court early..."

"His Majesty."

Qin Ji hurriedly reminded, "There is no court meeting scheduled for tomorrow morning. It will be at 9:00 in the morning before the ministers will enter the palace to celebrate the New Year. There will be a palace banquet at noon. In addition... tomorrow the ladies in the capital will also enter the palace to pay their respects to the Grand Empress Dowager and the Empress Dowager."

Zhu Youtang smiled and said, "That's great. Please invite Madam Zhang to come here tomorrow at noon and we will have a meal together."

Tan Ji corrected her again, "Tomorrow at noon, all the ladies will go to attend the imperial banquet, so Old Madam Zhang will not be able to come here."

While the master and servant were talking, Zhang Yu, who had previously focused all her attention on the fireworks in the sky, turned her head and asked her husband what the situation would be like tomorrow.

After Zhu Youtang explained the situation, Zhang Yu was not in a hurry and said with a smile: "Then invite my mother over later. It's just a meal together. Is there any difference between lunch and dinner? Oh, by the way, Your Majesty, do you have anything else to discuss later?"

"That's all. When we get tired of playing, we'll go and rest..."

Zhu Youtang was affectionate and authentic.

Qin Ji thought for a long time, and at this moment he could not help but interrupt: "Your Majesty, there is one more thing that I am very worried about, and I have always wanted to tell you."

Zhu Youtang frowned and asked, "My dear, do we have to tell you today?"

Qin Ji said, "Your Majesty, it's like this. Didn't you go to the cabinet today to discuss the reform of the salt policy? But looking at the look on Lord Xu's face... he seems to be hesitant to speak. I'm afraid he might encounter some major obstacles when he thinks about promoting the salt law, but he just doesn't want to say it out loud."

"Oh?"

Zhu Youtang asked, "Why didn't you mention that you were pregnant with Daiban before?"

Qin Ji thought, that guy came out to scare me, but he didn't say it clearly. I wanted to tell you because I was worried.

"So lovely……"

On the other side, Zhang Yu had already run to the little palace maid, clapping his hands, as excited as a child, "Can I light one myself and try it?"

"Empress, this is too dangerous. Let the servants do it."

Several palace maids in charge of setting off fireworks quickly stopped them.

"it's okay no problem."

Zhang Yu didn't care about that and bent down to get the fireworks.

Zhu Youtang smiled and stopped her: "Yu'er, you are the queen, don't take any risks. Let them order, and you just watch from the side."

"Okay then." Zhang Yu straightened up, pouted, and said unhappily, "It always feels unsatisfying if I don't light it myself."

Then Zhang Yu stayed beside the little palace maid and observed the entire process of the fireworks at close range.

Zhu Youtang, concerned about his beloved wife, also went over.

Qin Ji chased forward and asked, "Your Majesty, what do you think we should do next?"

Zhu Youtang no longer cared about Tan Ji at this time, and waved his hand and said: "If you have any trouble, go ask my father-in-law. If that doesn't work, ask Yanling. He has a deep understanding of the salt law and told me a lot before... I don't know what you are worried about. Yanling should be able to answer your doubts."

"Are you going now?"

Tan Ji asked.

"You can do whatever you want, my dear."

Zhu Youtang said, "Oh, by the way, my dear, please bring the nanny to the palace tomorrow. I haven't seen her for a long time and I miss her very much. If you leave the palace tonight, remember to bring some things back. I have asked someone to prepare them in advance."

Then he said to Zhang Yu, "Yu'er, don't get too close. Be careful that the fireworks won't splash on you. Come to my side quickly."

……

……

Zhang Mansion.

The Zhang family is full of joy.

The Zhang family was no longer ordinary at this time. They actually held a party in the mansion that night. The troupe did not stop after the gong started, and the music was very lively. Even the servants of the Zhang family took turns to watch the show that day, and the show lasted all night long, and there was not much to watch.

Zhang Luan was in high spirits that night. As the head of the family, it seemed that all the family achievements in the past year were due to his "good leadership", so he was quite boastful at the New Year's Eve dinner and drank a few more glasses of wine in such a high mood.

Zhang Heling insisted on drinking that day and soon fell drunk. Then, Zhang Luan and Zhang Yanling, father and son, ate while chatting.

After dinner, the other people in the family ran to the theater to watch a play, but Zhang Heling was sent back to his room to sleep early by the servants... At least Zhang Heling was not such a bad drinker at this time, so he would just sleep when he was drunk and not trouble others.

The father and son finished eating last.

While the servants were cleaning up the mess, Zhang Luan stood up and prepared to go to the theater to watch the play. To put it bluntly, he wanted to see if there was any actor he liked among this group of actors. This troupe was specially arranged by Pang Qing, so it was equivalent to letting Zhang Luan "take a look" first. As for what Zhang Luan would do next if he was satisfied with what he saw, that was not something that outsiders could tell.

At this time, Qin Ji came to visit.

After hearing this, Zhang Luan hurried to the front yard to greet him. When he saw Qin Ji, his face looked somewhat unhappy. He asked, "Eunuch Qin, why are you here? What time is it today? Why did you come to my house to join in the fun? Or is there some official business that must be done by me at this time?"

Qin Ji pricked up his ears and listened. The sound of drums and music coming from the Zhang family's inner courtyard was clearly audible, and he couldn't help feeling puzzled.

The Zhang family should be putting on a big show. Judging from the scene, the excitement is even higher than that in the palace.

He thought to himself, His Majesty and his wife are so noble, and they are just there watching the fireworks, but with what you have going on at home, it must be a huge uproar, right?
Qin Ji asked tentatively: "Mr. Zhang, do you have any guests at your house?"

"guest?"

Zhang Luan asked doubtfully, "You mean..."

"Is there no one from the court coming to visit?"

Tan Ji asked.

"Oh!"

Zhang Luan suddenly realized and shook his head, "Today is the end of the year. Even if you really want to visit me, don't you have to wait until tomorrow? I have already given orders that except for some close people who come to visit me, I will refuse to see anyone else... You can't come to me to curry favor with me under the pretext of paying New Year's greetings, and you can't talk to me about forming a clique. Eunuch Tan, if anyone asks about it or even impeaches me, you have to testify for me!"

"Oh, that's not what we mean."

Qin Ji hurriedly explained, "I just don't want to disturb you from receiving guests. If you are free, there is only one thing I want to tell you right now."

"Who is this person..."

Zhang Luan's face became even more unhappy, and he muttered quietly: "You came to talk to me on New Year's Eve?"

Obviously, Zhang Luan did not accept the reason for the visit.

At this time, Zhang Yanling walked in from outside the hall and asked, "Dad, Eunuch Tan is here, why don't you ask him to sit down and talk? Isn't this a bit rude?"

"Oh, I forgot. Come on, Eunuch Tan, please sit down!"

Zhang Luan's tone sounded forced.

Qin Ji shook his head and smiled bitterly. He had been here for a while, and only at this moment did he have the chance to sit down.

(End of this chapter)